cwhalen1988's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really did not know what to expect with this book, but I was intrigued by the perspective of the bad guy. I ended up loving this book and the main character. The 2nd person narrative really worked and I could not put this book down. Can’t wait to see the movie!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Sexism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Murder
innerweststreetlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Well written, darkly funny, and a little depressing. Power corrupts etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual content, Trafficking, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty
inkyknits's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I had read half this book when it first came out and then decided to re-visit when I saw the trailer for the upcoming movie. Glad I did because it was totally worth reading. I really enjoyed the conversation style, though I confess to being still in the dark about why he's writing to the Chinese Premier. I thought it was an excellent portrait of caste, oppression, and entitlement in India and the costs incurred for trying (or wanting) to break free of the system and the struggle. It was interesting to read it now, when there is a some increase in global awareness of caste and class struggles in India, compared to when the book was published. At the end I wasn't clear if Balram was at peace with the choices he'd made and their attendant costs or if he'd just been eaten up by the system like everyone else.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Violence
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